Bedstead



UNITE STATES PATE T OFFICE.

REUBEN JENKINS, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

BEDSTEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 28,582, dated June 5, 1860.

Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and complete description thereof, reference bein@ had to the accompanying drawings and tletters of reference, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to bedsteads made of metal; and its nature consists, first, in a peculiar arrangement and combination with the main bedstead of a secondary bedstead, the hollow side rails of which are made to slide into and be accommodated within the hollow tubular rails of the main one. A bedstead constructed on this plan, though it is adapted to be readily and easily converted into and used as a twin bedstead whenever required, presents all the compactness of structure and lightness of appearance of a usual single bedstead. Secondly, in providing the hollow metallic posts of the bedstead with bases of cedar, sandal or other fragrant wood; by means of which arrangement the bedstead is rendered perfectly vermin proof.

To enable others skilled in the art to make, construct, and .use my said improved bedstead, I will now proceed to describe it in detail.

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved bedstead in which the second bedstead is withdrawn from the first and is fully extended, making two complete and entire bedsteads. Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation of the same in which the second bedstead is shown in a position nearly contracted by having its side rails slid into the side rails of the other, thus occupying but little more space than one bedstead. The section is taken on a plane cutting the front rank of posts and the rails through their centers.

The same letters of reference-indicate the same parts in each drawing.

A represents the permanent bedstead, and B the movable or second bedstead. The first will hereafter be designated as the main and the latter as the second bedstead.

The four eXtreme posts are indicated by D, and the intermediate or principal posts by C. I E, shows the side rails of the main and F the side rails of the second bedstead, the cross rails being seen at G.

The main bedstead is furnished with slats of hoop iron, which encircle the side rails E and are stretched across, at right angles to the rails, the ends being riveted to form the loops around the rails. The second bedstead is slatted with hoop iron running lengthwise. The slats are indicated by a, and they are jointed at two points Z2, dividing their length into three parts by which device they are allowed to take parallel directions when the bedstead is closed into its place by slidingv the side rails into their appropriate places in the rails of the main bedstead as shown in Fig. 2. In this figure the rail F is seen with nearly all of it received in the rail E and when entirely closed up the posts D will be found ranging against the posts C and the space occupied by the two bedsteads will be but little more than that required for one. The posts are cast hollow as seen in Fig. 2, by which means they are made very light, and are capable of receiving a great variety of ornamentation. rIhey may also be marbled if required, thus having a very elegant and tasty appearance imparted to them.

The side rails are secured to the end posts by screws, c, one of which is required at each of the four extreme corners. Passing through the post D they just encounter the part of the end rails, which, entering the post upon the appropriate square, pass through the open space in the post, far enough to present a surface to the end thrust of the side rails. I-Iaving a hole through both parts at an appropriate point, the screws, vc', respectively pass through and enter the nuts, el, which are formed at the end of the respective side rails. The ends of these side rails are formed with a curve adapted to the periphery of the end rails against which they abut. The screws now being closed in with suflicient force the ends of the side rails are brought into rigid contact with the outer surface of the end rails and both parts are held firm and secure.

The screws passing through the end rails serve as pins to retain them lin place besides securing them rigidly by compression as has been explained. It is obvious that with very little attention in fitting up, the rails can be made to fill their appropriate holes in the posts very nicely and thus render the joints of the bed frame secure from vermin. Each of these posts D and C rest on bases H of cedar, sandal or some other fragrant wood, so that if any vermin be in the apartment the odor of the wood will prevent them from attempting to climb the posts to obtain a lodging in the crevices of the bed.

My improved bedstead is not only available for hospitals, asylums, hotels and other public places, which are subject at certain periods to be overcrowded with inmates, and require some extra accommodations for such temporary eXigencies; but it is also very acceptable for rooms of moderate dimensions in private houses, where the same may be used for two beds at night, while the convenience of all the space occupied by the secondary one, may be enjoyed through the day, and moreover the occupant of the bed whether sick or in health enjoys perfect immunity from the attacks of all kinds of vermln.

Having thus described my improved bed stead what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. In combination with the main bedstead (A), I claim the arrangement of the secondary bedstead (B), the hollow side rails of which are made to slide into and be accommodated within the tubular rails (E) of the main one, in the manner and for the purposes substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the divided slats (a, a, a) and joints (b, ZJ) with the sliding side rails (F)-the whole being arranged and operated in the manner as set forth, for the purpose specified.

3. In combination with a bedstead constructed as described having hollow metal posts, I claim the bases (H) when made of cedar, sandal or other similar fragrant wood arranged in the manner substantially as set forth, for the purpose of rendering the bedstead vermin proof.

REUBEN JENKINS.' Vitnesses:

WVM. CLOUGH, S. K. GRAVES. 

